He Only Plays Villains - Chapter 145: The Graduate School of Reality and Drama (1)
Hwang Gi-tae, the senior PhD student in Lee Se-jong's lab, scratched his unkempt hair nonstop as he stared at the proposal Jeong Seo-hoon had submitted.
"A particle collision test out of nowhere?"
"I've got a few experiments to run. It's for my PhD thesis topic."
"You're still a master's student and already picking a PhD topic? Well, it's an integrated program, so it's not impossible. Still, you decided on it faster than I expected."
"To be precise, this experiment is the preparatory stage leading up to that."
"Don't throw around words like 'preparatory stage' lightly. It'll make the rest of us PhD students cry."
Hwang Gi-tae couldn't hide his amusement even as he signed off on it.
"You could just handle this with your own approval authority. Why do you need my signature?"
"You're the senior in our lab, hyung. With your sign, they won't nitpick over there."
"Just grab the professor's stamp and use that."
"Borrowing the professor's name casually feels off. Overuse it, and it'll lose its weight."
"Fair point."
Finishing his flourish on the PLS (POSTECH Accelerator Research Lab) research collaboration proposal, Hwang Gi-tae handed the papers back.
"But you've got drama shoots too—how are you gonna manage trekking all the way down to POSTECH?"
"It's fine. There's a whole episode arc set at POSTECH with non-stop filming there."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. I can run my experiments while I'm down for the shoot and head back up after."
"Even then, you'll only get a few days on the accelerator. They're probably brushing you off because you're just a first-year master's student."
"Who'd dare ignore the name of Lee Se-jong's lab? They'd regret it next time they need our collaboration support."
Half worried, half expectant, Hwang Gi-tae gave him some encouragement.
"Alright, you'll figure it out. Oh, right—POSTECH comes out as Pohang National University in the drama, yeah?"
"Yep."
"They actually agreed to the shoot sponsorship. Impressive."
"Our electrical engineering department had killer competition rates this year. Must've hit them hard. They've been proactive from the initial outreach."
Hwang Gi-tae patted Jeong Seo-hoon's shoulder with a complex expression that might've been a smile.
"You're working too hard, man."
The drama crew headed to POSTECH, located in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula.
In the show, it appeared as Pohang National University.
"But the school's in Pohang—why not just call it Pohang National University instead of POSTECH?"
"Legend has it the founder thought the name sounded too rural and wanted something cool in English. Hence POSTECH."
"For real?"
"I heard POSTECH isn't from 'force' but some Pohang-something acronym…"
"Then just go with Pohang National University."
"Our drama calling it Pohang National University has folks thinking POSTECH really is that now."
The chartered buses carrying the crew filed into the POSTECH campus.
With the sea and river nearby, it felt distinctly different from Korea University.
"The vibe here's totally unique. Perfect for drama viewers to see it as some distant rival uni far from 'Seoul University.'"
Yoo Jeong-ah peered around curiously, prompting Jeong Seo-hoon to chuckle in disbelief.
"POSTECH as a rival uni?"
"Isn't it? Or is reality different?"
"Totally different. KAIST and POSTECH are like comparing heights between acorns—Korea U's clearly above them. Call it a rival, and Korea U students will laugh."
"Sorry, my bad. Ugh, Seo-hoon oppa getting all serious like this is a first."
Yoo Jeong-ah hugged her sides and let out a little groan.
As outdoor setup began, students gathered to gawk from all directions.
Korea's top actresses clustered together—it was impossible not to draw eyes.
Phones came out everywhere, capturing shots amid gasps of "She's so pretty," "Gorgeously real," "Is she even human?"
Chae Ji-hyun glanced around curiously.
"Why are there only guys here? Korea U felt more even, guys and girls."
"Korea U's a comprehensive university. Our department traditionally has more women anyway—Seoul's a big draw."
"Ah."
"This place is remote. Makes recruiting freshmen tough."
Jo Han-young, the handsome actor playing a Pohang National University grad student, chimed in with a grin.
"Stop hating on Pohang National University. Great breeze, views, jobs—nice place to live."
"In the drama, it's rivals, so hate away. Writer said lean into the rivalry feels."
"Oof, hard enough getting to the arts center—now this."
A few undergrads snuck up during prep for autographs.
Staff, per prior instructions, lined them up neatly so they could get signatures from their faves.
"Line up, please."
"Keep it orderly. Thanks for cooperating with the shoot."
"Approved by university HQ. Appreciate your cooperation."
Mainly the actresses got requests.
Yoo Jeong-ah, Chae Ji-hyun, and Lee Seo-hyeon topped the list, but Han Seo-hee and Im Seo-rin held their own.
Jeong Seo-hoon fielded a fair share too.
All the few female students flocked to him.
"What should I write?"
After a bold signature, Jeong Seo-hoon glanced up.
A fresh-faced, cute girl met his eyes shyly and whispered.
"Prayers for PhD success, please."
"PhD student? What year?"
"Just started first year."
"Major?"
"Nuclear fusion."
"Why not our grad school for fusion? PhD first-year—you could still switch."
"Huh? Professor Lee Se-jong's lab is electrical engineering, right? Tokamak's mainstream, so magnets matter, but…"
"We're deep into tokamaks too. Plenty of time to pivot as a first-year. Think it over and reach out."
He handed her a business card.
Topped with Korea University College of Engineering Graduate School, Lee Se-jong Lab.
No personal contact—just lab phone and email—but the first-year PhD fangirl treasured it.
"Master's? Second-year? Planning PhD next?"
"Nah, master's second-year's brutal. I'm job-hunting now. Nearly extended another year—cried buckets."
"Don't you regret stopping at master's?"
"Kinda, but…"
"Got it. Advisor prof too intense, huh?"
Jeong Seo-hoon asked gently; she blushed and nodded faintly.
"Not in our lab."
"Really?"
"Yeah, prof's kind, never yells. Always smiles, repeats till you get it. Hence his nickname: PhD factory."
"That nickname sounds kinda scary…"
"No, really. Apply to our lab next year. I'll vouch."
Jeong Seo-hoon asked each girl's name, major, year, and gave career advice.
After signing for all, he didn't shoo them—sat them down for an impromptu lab pitch.
"Our lab alumni boast over 99% employment. Not fudged numbers—fresh grads average over 100 million won starting salary…"
Male fans grinning over actress autographs drifted over, ears perked.
The five actresses, now together, watched in amused disbelief.
"Haha, so funny. Seo-hoon oppa here to film or collect grad students?"
"That's pro multi-tasking. Never neglects either side, anytime, anywhere… Impressive."
Shooting was set for five straight days.
Production booked hotels for the entire cast—even bit players got rooms, though grades varied.
No-names were thrilled; motels would've sufficed, but hotels? Jackpot.
After wrapping the day's shoot and heading to lodgings, Jeong Seo-hoon skipped the van.
"Seo-hoon not heading back?"
"Got business here."
"Solo shoot?"
"Nah. Collecting some basic experiment data. Equipment's pre-arranged."
Song Jeong-woo's eyes lit up.
"Experiment? Real deal at POSTECH?"
"Yes, PD-nim."
"Perfect! This is real reality. Hyun-tae! Grab lights and mics—keep it light! DP, camera back out!"
At the PD's call, grumbles aside, gear emerged fast.
"Seo-hoon, let's film this. Cool?"
"Sure, but aren't you tired?"
"Gotta capture this. Not staged—real experiment by our professor lead actor? Gold."
AD Kim Hyun-tae nodded along.
"Totally. Great for making-of dailies or drama insert. Tell the writer?"
"Should've dragged Kim Sang-hee. She's always tagging along—why skip this time?"
Thus, Jeong Seo-hoon led a skeleton crew into the accelerator lab.
The young professor greeting them startled at the trailing cameras.
"Lee Se-jong Lab's Jeong Seo-hoon? Who's the crew? Still shooting?"
"Shoot's done. Here for equipment tests per proposal. PD wants to film for the drama."
"Uh… PD-nim, please avoid central monitors and these spots. Security. Seo-hoon, I'll check."
"Got it, Professor."
In the accelerator control center, Song Jeong-woo and staff gawked.
"Wild—like an SF flick."
"No Seo-hoon, no drama access here."
"What's the experiment?"
Jeong Seo-hoon, eyes locked on monitor readouts, preheated the accelerator via console.
"Testing a core assumption for my PhD thesis."
"Take long?"
"Yeah. Short end: six months. Long: two, three years plus."
"One assumption takes that long? PhD that hard, or your topic that tough?"
"Focusing on the experiment now."
For hours, under supervision, he ran gear and tests.
Boring repetition for the crew.
Novel at first, but unchanging visuals dragged on.
"That's it for today. Good work."
"Great job. Pack up."
All withdrew, including Jeong Seo-hoon; shooting resumed next day.
Post-shoot, he hit the lab again; weary Song Jeong-woo trailed with a small team.
"PD-nim, same as yesterday—need to film?"
"Who knows? Seo-hoon might snag a breakthrough clue. We'd capture history."
"Psh, not a docu. Breakthroughs don't drop easy."
Kim Hyun-tae griped but complied.
Day three: rinse and repeat.
Day four: POSTECH finale.
Eh?
Yawning Song Jeong-woo snapped alert.
Jeong Seo-hoon's expression on the monitor had shifted.
What? What?
Raw elation leaked through cracked composure, writhing to burst.
Ecstatic eyes flicked between the massive accelerator and data screens.
Song grabbed the fixed cam, zooming in—pure director's instinct.
"Professor Hwang Geon-wook, did you do it?"
Not even shooting, but he tossed the line.
Desperate ad-lib to shoehorn later.
Jeong Seo-hoon—or Hwang Geon-wook?—face alight with joy, filled the camera monitor with a triumphant grin.
"I've found the spark."
Hwang Geon-wook burned hotter than ever.
Song shivered, bellowing.
"Cut! Perfect! Good work! Experiment succeeded, right?"
"Yes. Found the path."
"Awesome. Saved at least six months?"
"Six months?"
The laugh—Jeong Seo-hoon or Hwang?—giggled wickedly.
"Way more than that."